6 things to WATCH out for at the Malaysian Grand Prix

In 2015 Sebastian Vettel claimed an emotional maiden victory for Ferrari which dampened the predictions F1 would be Mercedes-dominated once again when Sepang hosted round two. As it turns out, the race stood as just one of three where drivers who are not called Hamilton or Rosberg stood on the top step of the podium (Hungary and Singapore the other two). With the Silver Arrows squad stamping its authority on the other two race this year, Mercedes could make it a clean sweep – with the exception of Barcelona where the two bashed each other out on lap one.

The clouds above – heavy rain showers
If anything is synonymous with the Sepang International Circuit it is rain. Heavy and thundery rain. It got so bad in 2009 that the race had to be called early after being red flagged 31 laps into the full 56-lap race distance (also when the iconic Kimi Raikkonen ice cream moment occurred), to become just the fifth race in F1 history to see half points awarded having failed to reach 75% race distance.

Earlier this year the Sepang International Circuit underwent resurfacing work and while F1’s rhythm has largely been unaffected by new track tops (Hungaroring and the Red Bull Ring are case points this year) what will be intriguing are the changes to the banking and profiling of certain corners. Turns 1-9 and 13-15 have undergone the biggest changes with the final corner seeing its new inside kerb raised by 1 metre in order to stop rain water collecting on track which is assisted by improved drainage. Sepang’s CEO Razali has described it as seeing ‘the circuit for the first time’.

Jenson Button is set to celebrate his 300th F1 Grand Prix start this weekend in Malaysia, something which should be cherished even more with the British driver set for a one-year sabbatical in 2017. The 2009 World Champion will also join an exclusive club by becoming only the third driver to start 300 or more races alongside Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello.

The form guide only points to one driver to put your money on for Sepang with Nico Rosberg aiming to record an impressive feat of his second four in four in 2016. The German has stepped on to the podium in Malaysia on three separate occasions in his F1 career but is yet to reach the winners’ stand, however, with Hamilton, the Red Bulls and the Ferraris looking to bite back it won’t be straightforward.

After the sharp flurry of 2017 driver announcements at Monza the market fell surprisingly silent in Singapore. Williams and Force India look likely to reveal their hand for next season while the key figures in the driver market Renault may keep their powder dry for a while yet. What is guaranteed: speculation and questioning will be rife.